Myth and Poetry in Lucretius

Availability: Available to Backorder, No Due Date for Supply, Not for Xmas

Myth and Poetry in Lucretius by Monica R. Gale

Book Description

The employment of mythological language and imagery by an Epicurean poet - an adherent of a system not only materialist, but overtly hostile to myth and poetry - is highly paradoxical. This apparent contradiction has often been ascribed to a conflict in the poet between reason and intellect, or to a desire to enliven his philosophical material with mythological digressions. This book attempts to provide a more positive assessment of Lucretius' aims and methodology by considering the poet's attitude to myth, and the role which it plays in the De Rerum Natura, against the background of earlier and contemporary views. The author suggests that Lucretius was not only aware of the tension between his two roles as philosopher and poet, but attempted to resolve it by developing his own, Epicurean poetic, together with a bold and innovative theory of the origins and meaning of myth.

Other Editions...

Books By Author Monica R. Gale

A collection of important scholarly articles on the Roman poet Lucretius, whose philosophical epic, the De Rerum Natura or On the Nature of the Universe (c.55 BC), seeks to convince its readers of the validity of the rationalist theories of Epicurus. An Introduction contextualizes the essays, and all Greek and Latin is translated.

For every $20 you spend on books, you will receive $1 in Boomerang Bucks loyalty dollars. You can use your Boomerang Bucks as a credit towards a future purchase from Boomerang Books. Note that you must be a Member (free to sign up) and that conditions do apply.